Foldable auxiliary monitor

ABSTRACT

According to aspects of the disclosure, a display system is provided comprising a support, a first display coupled to the support, wherein the first display is configured to display output information received from at least one computing device, and a second display rotatably coupled to the first display and rotatably coupled to the support, wherein the second display is configured to display output information received from the at least one computing device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/209,039, titled “AUXILIARY MONITORSWITH ARTICULATED HINGE,” filed on Jun. 10, 2021, and to U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 63/300,342, titled “AUXILIARY-MONITOR STAND,” filedon Jan. 18, 2022, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference inits entirety.

BACKGROUND

At least one example in accordance with the present disclosure relatesgenerally to electronic displays.

SUMMARY

According to at least one aspect of the present disclosure, a displaysystem is provided comprising a support, a first display coupled to thesupport, wherein the first display is configured to display outputinformation received from at least one computing device, and a seconddisplay rotatably coupled to the first display and rotatably coupled tothe support, wherein the second display is configured to display outputinformation received from the at least one computing device.

In some examples, the display system includes a linkage bar coupled tothe second display. In various examples, the linkage bar is rotatablycoupled to the second display. In at least one example, the displaysystem includes a base coupled to the support via a protrusion, whereinthe linkage bar is rotatably coupled to the protrusion. In someexamples, the first display is slidably coupled to the support. Invarious examples, the display system includes a sliding coupler coupledto the first display and slidably coupled to the support. In at leastone example, the second display is configured to rotate about the firstdisplay responsive to the first display being slid along the support. Insome examples, the display system includes a base coupled to the supportvia a protrusion.

In various examples, the support is rotatably coupled to the protrusion.In at least one example, the display system includes a catch mechanismconfigured to prevent rotation of the support about the base, and arelease mechanism configured to release the catch mechanism. In someexamples, the sliding coupler is configured to exert a force on therelease mechanism to release the catch mechanism, and releasing thecatch mechanism enables rotation of the support about the base. Invarious examples, the support is configured to rotate approximately 90°about the base.

In at least one example, the sliding coupler is configured to slidebetween a highest position on the support and a lowest position on thesupport, and an angle between the first display and the second displayat the highest position is approximately 180°. In some examples, theangle between the first display and the second display at the lowestposition is approximately 90°. In at least one example, subsequent torotating the support approximately 90° about the base, the angle betweenthe first display and the second display is approximately 0°.

According to at least one aspect of the disclosure, a method offacilitating use of a display system, the method comprising providing adisplay system including a support, a first display coupled to thesupport, wherein the first display is configured to display outputinformation received from at least one computing device, and a seconddisplay rotatably coupled to the first display and rotatably coupled tothe support, wherein the second display is configured to display outputinformation received from the at least one computing device, instructinga user of the display system to couple the display system to the atleast one computing device, and instructing the user of the displaysystem to slide the first display along the support.

In some examples, the method includes instructing the user of thedisplay system to rotate the second display about the first display. Inat least one example, the display system further includes a base, andthe method further comprises instructing the user to rotate the supportabout the base. In various examples, instructing the user to rotate thesupport about the base includes instructing the user to slide the firstdisplay to a lowest position on the support. In some examples,instructing the user to rotate the support about the base includesinstructing the user to rotate the support approximately 90° to a closedorientation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various aspects of at least one embodiment are discussed below withreference to the accompanying figures, which are not intended to bedrawn to scale. The figures are included to provide an illustration anda further understanding of the various aspects and embodiments, and areincorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, but are notintended as a definition of the limits of any particular embodiment. Thedrawings, together with the remainder of the specification, serve toexplain principles and operations of the described and claimed aspectsand embodiments. In the figures, each identical or nearly identicalcomponent that is illustrated in various figures is represented by alike numeral. For purposes of clarity, not every component may belabeled in every figure. In the figures:

FIG. 1A illustrates a front-perspective view of a display system in apartially open orientation according to an example;

FIG. 1B illustrates a back-perspective view of the display system in thepartially open orientation according to the example of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C illustrates a right-side view of the display system in thepartially open orientation according to the example of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1D illustrates a front view of the display system in the partiallyopen orientation according to the example of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1E illustrates a back view of the display system in the partiallyopen orientation according to the example of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2A illustrates a front-perspective view of the display system in afully open orientation according to an example;

FIG. 2B illustrates a back-perspective view of the display system in thefully open orientation according to the example of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2C illustrates a right-side view of the display system in the fullyopen orientation according to the example of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2D illustrates a front view of the display system in the fully openorientation according to the example of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2E illustrates a back view of the display system in the fully openorientation according to the example of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3A illustrates a front-perspective view of the display system in aminimally open orientation according to an example;

FIG. 3B illustrates a back-perspective view of the display system in theminimally open orientation according to the example of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3C illustrates a right-side view of the display system in theminimally open orientation according to the example of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3D illustrates a front view of the display system in the minimallyopen orientation according to the example of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3E illustrates a back view of the display system in the minimallyopen orientation according to the example of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4A illustrates a front-perspective view of the display system in aclosed orientation according to an example;

FIG. 4B illustrates a back-perspective view of the display system in theclosed orientation according to the example of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4C illustrates a right-side view of the display system in theclosed orientation according to the example of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4D illustrates a front view of the display system in the closedorientation according to the example of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4E illustrates a back view of the display system in the closedorientation according to the example of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5A illustrates a side partially cut-away view of a display system,which may be similar to the display system of FIGS. 1A-4E, in apartially open orientation according to an example;

FIG. 5B illustrates a back-perspective partially cut-away view of thedisplay system of FIG. 5A in the partially open orientation according toan example; and

FIG. 6 illustrates a front-perspective view of a display system in apartially open orientation according to an example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Examples of the methods and systems discussed herein are not limited inapplication to the details of construction and the arrangement ofcomponents set forth in the following description or illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. The methods and systems are capable ofimplementation in other embodiments and of being practiced or of beingcarried out in various ways. Examples of specific implementations areprovided herein for illustrative purposes only and are not intended tobe limiting. In particular, acts, components, elements and featuresdiscussed in connection with any one or more examples are not intendedto be excluded from a similar role in any other examples.

Also, the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting. Any references toexamples, embodiments, components, elements or acts of the systems andmethods herein referred to in the singular may also embrace embodimentsincluding a plurality, and any references in plural to any embodiment,component, element or act herein may also embrace embodiments includingonly a singularity. References in the singular or plural form are notintended to limit the presently disclosed systems or methods, theircomponents, acts, or elements. The use herein of “including,”“comprising,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” and variationsthereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter andequivalents thereof as well as additional items.

References to “or” may be construed as inclusive so that any termsdescribed using “or” may indicate any of a single, more than one, andall of the described terms. In addition, in the event of inconsistentusages of terms between this document and documents incorporated hereinby reference, the term usage in the incorporated features issupplementary to that of this document; for irreconcilable differences,the term usage in this document controls.

Electronic-device displays, such as computer monitors, displayinformation to users. For example, a desktop computer may becommunicatively and/or electrically coupled to a desktop-computermonitor. The desktop-computer monitor receives information from thedesktop computer and displays the information to a user. In someexamples, the desktop-computer monitor may include user-interfaceelements (for example, a touch-sensitive screen) and may send inputinformation received from the user to the desktop computer.

As a size of a computer monitor increases, the monitor may be able todisplay more information to a user. Some users utilize multiple monitorsto increase an amount of information that may be concurrently displayed.For example, a user may position two or more monitors adjacent to oneanother on a work surface, as it may not be feasible to position two ormore separate monitors above one another.

Examples of the disclosure include a foldable display system havingmultiple displays rotatably coupled to one another. The displays may becommunicatively and/or electrically coupled to at least one computingdevice (for example, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a tabletcomputer, and so forth) configured to provide information to thedisplays. At least one of the displays may be slidably coupled to asupport, and at least one of the displays may be rotatably coupled tothe support via a linkage bar. The linkage bar links a sliding motion ofone display to rotation of another display. For example, sliding atleast one of the displays along the support may cause the displays torotate relative to one another via the rotation mechanisms and/orlinkage bar. A user may therefore be able to move the displays to adesired orientation. In various examples, the displays may be capable ofbeing rotated until they are contacting one another in a closedposition. In the closed position, the displays may be parallel to a worksurface on which the display system is positioned.

FIG. 1A illustrates a front-perspective view of a display system 100 ina partially open orientation according to an example. FIG. 1Billustrates a back-perspective view of the display system 100 in thepartially open orientation according to the example of FIG. 1A. FIG. 1Cillustrates a right-side view of the display system 100 in the partiallyopen orientation according to the example of FIG. 1A. FIG. 1Dillustrates a front view of the display system 100 in the partially openorientation according to the example of FIG. 1A. FIG. 1E illustrates aback view of the display system 100 in the partially open orientationaccording to the example of FIG. 1A. As discussed in greater detailbelow, the partially open orientation may include any orientation of thedisplay system 100 between a minimally open orientation and a fully openorientation.

The display system 100 includes a first display 102, a second display104, a support 106, a base 108, and a linkage bar 110. Aspects of thedisplay system 100 are described relative to a legend 112 illustratingan x-axis, a y-axis, and a z-axis. The first display 102 includes afirst display screen 114, and the second display 104 includes a seconddisplay screen 116. The first display 102 is rotatably coupled to thesecond display 104 via a first hinge 118 a and a second hinge 118 b(collectively, “hinges 118”) about the x-axis to adjust an orientationangle 120 between the screens 114, 116. In some examples, the hinges 118include torque hinges configured to maintain a desired value of theorientation angle 120 between the displays 102, 104. In variousexamples, the hinges 118 may or may not include torque hinges, and thelinkage bar 110 may be configured to maintain a desired value of theorientation angle 120 by opposing a gravitational moment on the seconddisplay 104 about the hinges 118. In various implementations, the hinges118 may be implemented with hinge pins, a flexible (for example,foldable) material, or other types of components capable of facilitatingan articulable connection between the displays 102, 104. Accordingly,the hinges 118 may be referred to as “articulable hinges.” As discussedin greater detail below, in some examples, a single foldable displayhaving multiple display sections may be implemented in lieu of, or inaddition to, the displays 102, 104.

The first display 102 is slidably coupled to the support 106 along they-axis. The first display 102 includes a sliding coupler 122 configuredto mate with one or more tracks in the support 106 (not illustrated inFIGS. 1A-1E) to enable movement of the first display 102 along they-axis. The linkage bar 110 includes a first end 124 rotatably coupledto the second display 104, and a second end 126 rotatably coupled to thesupport 106. In some examples, the support 106 may include the linkagebar 110. The linkage bar 110 facilitates rotation of the second display104 about the first display 102 to adjust the orientation angle 120. Forexample, a user may slide the first display 102 upwards or downwards(that is, along the y-axis or -y-axis, respectively) along the support106 via the sliding coupler 122 to adjust a position of the displays102, 104 along the y-axis. As discussed below, adjusting the position ofthe displays 102, 104 along the y-axis may adjust the orientation angle120. In various examples, the linkage bar 110 facilitates adjustment ofthe orientation angle 120 by linking movement of the first display 102along the y-axis to rotation of the second display 104 about the x-axis.

In some examples, the first display 102 and the second display 104 maybe removably coupled to other components of the display system 100, suchas the support 106, the base 108, and the linkage bar 110. That is, insome examples, the first display 102 and the second display 104 may bephysically decoupled, directly and indirectly, from other components ofthe display system 100, such as the support 106, the base 108, and thelinkage bar 110. As discussed above, the first display 102 may beconfigured to be slidably coupled to one or more tracks in the support106 via the sliding coupler 122.

In some examples, the first display 102 includes or is coupled to thesliding coupler 122 and the sliding coupler 122 is removable from theone or more tracks in the support 106, such that the first display 102may be physically decoupled from the support 106. In some examples, thesecond display 104 is removably coupled to the first end 124 of thelinkage bar 110 such that the second display 104 may be physicallydecoupled from the linkage bar 110. The removable physical couplings mayinclude one or more removable fasteners including, for example, screws,hook-and-loop, interference fits, and so forth.

Accordingly, in some examples, the displays 102, 104 may be physicallydecoupled from and/or coupled to other components of the display system100 such that, for example, the displays 102, 104 may be acquired by auser (for example, purchased by a user) separately from other componentsof the display system 100, such as the support 106, the base 108, andthe linkage bar 110. In various examples, the components from which thedisplays 102, 104 may be physically decoupled, such as the support 106,base 108, and the linkage bar 110, may be collectively referred to as a“stand,” an “auxiliary-display stand,” an “auxiliary-monitor stand,” andso forth. In some implementations, therefore, the displays 102, 104 areprovided to display information and other components in the displaysystem 100 are provided to support the displays 102, 104, including byproviding physical support, electrical and data connections, and soforth. In other examples additional or different components may beremovably decoupled from and/or coupled to other components.

In various examples, the display system 100 may be communicativelyand/or electrically coupled to at least one computing device, such as alaptop computer, desktop computer, tablet computer, smartphone,video-game console, and so forth. For example, the base 108 may includeone or more wired and/or wireless communication and/or electricalinterfaces, such as power ports, wired-communication ports, antennas,wireless-charging coils, and so forth, to enable communicative and/orelectrical coupling between the display system 100 and at least onecomputing device. The base 108 may include and/or be coupled to one ormore media to transmit power and/or information to other components ofthe display system 100, such as the displays 102, 104. For example, thebase 108 may include one or more conductive media, such as cables orwires, to transmit power and/or information from the base 108 to thedisplays 102, 104.

The displays 102, 104 may receive output information from at least onecomputing device coupled to the display system 100 and displayinformation based on the received output information. For example, thebase 108 may be placed on a work surface in the xz-plane, and a userworking at the work surface may view information displayed by thedisplays 102, 104. In some examples, one or both of the displays 102,104 may be configured to receive user-input information. For example,one or both of the display screens 114, 116 may include atouch-sensitive display screen, such that a user may provide touchinputs to the display system 100 via the display screens 114, 116.

A user may adjust a position and/or orientation of the displays 102, 104at least by exerting an upwards (that is, along the y-axis) or downwards(that is, along the -y-axis) force on the first display 102. In variousexamples, exerting an upwards force on the first display 102 (forexample, pulling the first display 102 up) increases the orientationangle 120, and exerting a downwards force on the first display 102 (forexample, pushing the first display 102 down) decreases the orientationangle 120.

For example, exerting an upwards force on the first display 102 enablesthe first display 102 to slide upwards (that is, along the y-axis) alongthe support 106 via the sliding coupler 122. As the first display 102moves upwards along the y-axis, the first display 102 exerts an upwardsforce on the second display 104 via the hinges 118. The upwards force onthe second display 104 moves the second display 104 along the y-axisand, in conjunction with the linkage bar 110, induces a counterclockwisemoment on the second display 104 at the hinges 118 about the x-axis. Asthe second display 104 moves along the y-axis, the counterclockwisemoment on the second display 104 causes the second display 104 to rotatecounterclockwise about the x-axis via the hinges 118.

The movement of the second display 104 along the y-axis and rotation ofthe second display 104 about the x-axis exerts an upwards force on thelinkage bar 110 along the y-axis where the first end 124 couples to thesecond display 104. The upwards force on the linkage bar 110 exerts aclockwise moment on the linkage bar 110 about the x-axis. As the seconddisplay 104 moves along the y-axis, the clockwise moment on the linkagebar 110 causes the linkage bar 110 to rotate clockwise about the x-axisvia hinges rotatably coupling the second end 126 of the linkage bar 110to the support 106. The linkage bar 110 also rotates clockwise relativeto the second display 104 about the x-axis via hinges rotatably couplingthe first end 124 of the linkage bar 110 to the second display 104.

The first display 102 may be slid upwards along the support 106 until amaximum display orientation angle of the orientation angle 120 isreached, at which point the display system 100 may be considered to bein a fully open orientation. FIG. 2A illustrates a front-perspectiveview of the display system 100 in the fully open orientation accordingto an example. FIG. 2B illustrates a back-perspective view of thedisplay system 100 in the fully open orientation according to theexample of FIG. 2A. FIG. 2C illustrates a right-side view of the displaysystem 100 in the fully open orientation according to the example ofFIG. 2A. FIG. 2D illustrates a front view of the display system 100 inthe fully open orientation according to the example of FIG. 2A. FIG. 2Eillustrates a back view of the display system 100 in the fully openorientation according to the example of FIG. 2A.

In the fully open orientation, the orientation angle 120 may be slightlyless than 180°. For example, were the orientation angle 120 exactly180°, then a downwards force exerted on the first display 102 along the-y-axis may intersect a rotation axis of the hinges 118 and thus notinduce a moment about the x-axis, which may be undesirable. In otherexamples, a position of the hinges 118 may be selected such that adownwards force exerted on the first display 102 along the -y-axis doesnot intersect a rotation axis of the hinges 118 even if the orientationangle 120 is 180°, however. The maximum display orientation angle may bedictated at least in part by the linkage bar 110 which, as illustratedin FIG. 2C, provides physical separation between the second display 104and the support 106. For example, the linkage bar 110 may exert a forceon the second display 104 approximately along the z-axis to induce aclockwise moment on the second display 104 about the hinges 118, andthereby prevent the second display 104 from rotating past the maximumdisplay orientation angle.

Exerting a downwards force on the first display 102 while the displaysystem 100 is in the partially or fully open orientation enables thefirst display 102 to slide downwards (that is, along the -y-axis) alongthe support 106 via the sliding coupler 122. As the first display 102moves downwards along the -y-axis, the first display 102 exerts adownwards force on the second display 104 via the hinges 118. Thedownwards force on the second display 104 moves the second display 104along the -y-axis and, at least at certain angles, induces a clockwisemoment on the second display 104 about the x-axis. As the second display104 moves along the -y-axis, the clockwise moment on the second display104 causes the second display 104 to rotate clockwise about the x-axisvia the hinges 118.

The movement of the second display 104 along the -y-axis and rotation ofthe second display 104 about the x-axis exerts a downwards force on thelinkage bar 110 along the -y-axis where the first end 124 couples to thesecond display 104. The downwards force on the linkage bar 110 exerts acounterclockwise moment on the linkage bar 110 about the x-axis. As thesecond display 104 moves along the -y-axis, the counterclockwise momenton the linkage bar 110 causes the linkage bar 110 to rotatecounterclockwise about the x-axis via hinges rotatably coupling thesecond end 126 of the linkage bar 110 to the support 106. The linkagebar 110 also rotates relative to the second display 104 about the x-axisvia hinges rotatably coupling the first end 124 of the linkage bar 110to the second display 104.

The first display 102 may be slid downwards along the support 106 untila minimum display orientation angle of the orientation angle 120 isreached, at which point the display system 100 may be considered to bein a minimally open orientation. Although the display system 100 maysupport a value of the orientation angle 120 being less than the minimumdisplay orientation angle, as discussed below with respect to FIGS.4A-4E, the minimum display orientation angle may represent a minimumvalue of the orientation angle 120 while a user is actively viewinginformation displayed by the displays 102, 104. For example, asdiscussed in greater detail below, the minimum display orientation anglemay represent a minimum value of the orientation angle 120 while thesupport 106 remains upright along the y-axis and before rotating aboutthe x-axis towards a work surface on which the base 108 may bepositioned. However, in various examples a user may be capable ofoperating the display system 100 at orientation angles less than theminimum display orientation angle.

FIG. 3A illustrates a front-perspective view of the display system 100in the minimally open orientation according to an example. FIG. 3Billustrates a back-perspective view of the display system 100 in theminimally open orientation according to the example of FIG. 3A. FIG. 3Cillustrates a right-side view of the display system 100 in the minimallyopen orientation according to the example of FIG. 3A. FIG. 3Dillustrates a front view of the display system 100 in the minimally openorientation according to the example of FIG. 3A. FIG. 3E illustrates aback view of the display system 100 in the minimally open orientationaccording to the example of FIG. 3A.

In the minimally open orientation, the orientation angle 120 may beapproximately 90° in some examples. In other examples, the orientationangle 120 may be slightly greater than 90°. As discussed above, and asillustrated at least in FIG. 3A, the support 106 includes tracks 128 towhich the sliding coupler 122 may be slidably coupled. In at least oneexample, a coupling between the sliding coupler 122 and the tracks 128may resist a force along the y-axis, such as a force of gravity exertedalong the -y-axis, such that the sliding coupler 122 does not move alongthe tracks 128 unless an additional force is exerted, such as a userpushing or pulling the first display 102 along the y-axis. The minimallyopen orientation may represent a value of the orientation angle 120 atwhich the sliding coupler 122 cannot be slid further down along the-y-axis, for example, because the tracks 128 do not extend further alongthe -y-axis. Similarly, the fully open orientation may represent a valueof the orientation angle 120 at which the sliding coupler 122 cannot beslid further up along the y-axis, for example, because the tracks 128 donot extend further along the y-axis.

As discussed in greater detail below, placing the display system 100 inthe minimally open orientation may enable the support 106 to rotateabout the x-axis. The support 106 may be rotatably coupled to the base108 (either directly or via one or more components, as discussed below)about the x-axis via at least one hinge (not illustrated in FIGS.3A-3E). In some examples, the at least one hinge may be configured toenable rotation of the support 106 responsive to a release bar (notillustrated in FIGS. 3A-3E) being activated. The support 106 mayotherwise not be configured to rotate about the at least one hinge. Therelease bar may be activated when the display system 100 is placed inthe minimally open orientation. Accordingly, the support 106 may berotated relative to the base 108 responsive to the display system 100being placed in the minimally open orientation. Rotating the support 106about the x-axis enables the first display 102, which is slidablycoupled to the support 106, to be rotated towards the second display 104about the hinges 118.

The orientation angle 120 may therefore be decreased past the minimumdisplay orientation angle at least in part by rotating the support 106relative to the base 108 about the x-axis. In various examples, thesupport 106 may be rotated approximately 90° counterclockwise about thex-axis until the displays 102, 104 contact one another, at which pointthe display system 100 may be considered to be in a closed orientation.Some users may find orientation angles less than the minimum displayorientation angle to be non-ideal angles at which to view informationdisplayed by the displays 102, 104 because the information may not bedisplayed in a direction towards a user's eyes, though in variousexamples users may nonetheless use the display system 100 at suchangles. However, rotating the support 106 about the x-axis may enablethe display system 100 to be placed in a closed orientation, which maybe advantageous where the display system 100 is not in use.

FIG. 4A illustrates a front-perspective view of the display system 100in a closed orientation according to an example. FIG. 4B illustrates aback-perspective view of the display system 100 in the closedorientation according to the example of FIG. 4A. FIG. 4C illustrates aright-side view of the display system 100 in the closed orientationaccording to the example of FIG. 4A. FIG. 4D illustrates a front view ofthe display system 100 in the closed orientation according to theexample of FIG. 4A. FIG. 4E illustrates a back view of the displaysystem 100 in the closed orientation according to the example of FIG.4A.

In the closed orientation, the orientation angle 120 may beapproximately 0°. The closed orientation may advantageously protect thedisplays 102, 104 from damage by not exposing the display screens 114,116. Furthermore, the closed orientation may advantageously reduce aphysical footprint of the display system 100, such that the displaysystem 100 does not occupy a significant amount of space. A user maysubsequently open the display system 100 from the closed orientation andresume using the display system 100, for example, in the minimally openorientation, partially open orientation, and/or fully open orientation.In various examples, the display system 100 may enter a low-power,sleep, or off-mode responsive to being placed in the closed orientation.For example, the displays 102, 104 may discontinue displayinginformation in the closed orientation.

As discussed above, in some examples the support 106 may be rotatedabout the x-axis in part by activating a release bar. FIG. 5Aillustrates a side partially cut-away view of a display system 200,which may be substantially similar to the display system 100, in thepartially open orientation according to an example. FIG. 5B illustratesa back-perspective partially cut-away view of the display system 200,which may be similar to the display system 100, in the partially openorientation according to an example.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the support 106 may be coupled to thebase 108 via a protrusion 130. In some examples, the protrusion 130 is acomponent of the support 106. In another example, the protrusion 130 isa component of the base 108. In still other examples, the protrusion 130is not a component of the support 106 or the base 108. The protrusion130 facilitates rotation of at least the support 106 and the linkage bar110. The linkage bar 110 includes at least one first hinge 132 rotatablycoupled to a back surface of the second display 104 to enable rotationof the linkage bar 110 relative to the second display 104 about thex-axis. The linkage bar 110 further includes at least one second hinge134 rotatably coupled to the protrusion 130 to enable rotation of thelinkage bar 110 relative to the support 106 and/or the base 108 aboutthe x-axis. The support 106 includes at least one third hinge 136rotatably coupled to the protrusion 130 to enable rotation of thesupport pillar 106 relative to the base 108 about the x-axis.

In some examples, however, the support 106 may not rotate freely aboutthe at least one third hinge 136. The protrusion 130 may limit orcontrol rotation of the support 106 about the at least one third hinge136. In one example, the protrusion 130 includes a first groove 138 aand a second groove 138 b (collectively, “grooves 138”). The support 106includes a first lever 140 a and a second lever 140 b (collectively,“levers 140”). The first lever 140 a is configured to mate with thefirst groove 138 a, and the second lever 140 b is configured to matewith the second groove 138 b. The support 106 includes at least onecoupling mechanism 142 configured to facilitate mating between at leastone of the levers 140 and at least one of the grooves 138. For example,the at least one coupling mechanism 142 may include a spring exerting arestoring force along the z-axis to push the first lever 140 a into thefirst groove 138 a. In various examples, a similar coupling mechanismmay exert a force along the z-axis on the second lever 140 b, but isomitted from FIGS. 5A and 5B for clarity. In some examples, the levers140 a, 140 b are fixedly coupled to one another, or each fixedly coupledto a bar, such that the levers 140 a, 140 b rotate together. In otherexamples, the levers 140 a, 140 b may not be fixedly coupled to oneanother, such that the levers 140 a, 140 b may rotate independently fromone another.

A coupling between the grooves 138 and levers 140 may resist rotation ofthe support 106 about the x-axis via the at least one third hinge 136unless the levers 140 are separated from the grooves 138. Accordingly,the grooves 138 and the levers 140 may collectively be referred to as a“catch mechanism.” The support 106 further includes a release bar 144,also referred to herein as a “release mechanism,” coupled to the levers140. The release bar 144 is configured to release the catch mechanismwhen activated. The release bar 144 is activated by exerting a downwardsforce along the -y-axis on the release bar 144. Exerting the downwardsforce along the -y-axis on the release bar 144 induces acounterclockwise moment about the x-axis, thereby separating the levers140 from the grooves 138. To exert the downwards force, the slidingcoupler 122 may be slid down the tracks 128 along the -y-axis. Therelease bar 144 is aligned with the tracks 128 such that the slidingcoupler 122 may exert a downwards force along the -y-axis onto therelease bar 144 when the sliding coupler 122 contacts the release bar144. In various examples, the support 106 may be capable of rotatingonly counterclockwise about the x-axis, at least because the grooves 138and levers 140 prevent clockwise rotation about the x-axis regardless ofwhether the release bar 144 is activated.

As discussed above, the display system 100 may be communicatively and/orelectrically coupled to a computing device. In some examples, thedisplay system 100 may further be connected to one or more powersources, such as an AC-power utility mains, or the computing deviceitself. For example, the base 108 may include one or more wired orwireless communication and/or electrical interfaces, such as powerports, wired-communication ports, antennas, wireless-charging coils, andso forth, to enable communicative and/or electrical coupling between thedisplay system 100 and at least one computing device and/or powersource. In one example, the base 108 may include a first power interfaceto receive power from a power source (for example, an AC-power utilitymains source), and a second power interface to provide power to the atleast one computing device, such that the display system 100 may chargethe at least one computing device. In another example, the base 108 mayor may not be configured to receive power from a separate power source,and may include a power interface to receive power from the at least onecomputing device. In another example, the base 108 may receive powerfrom a separate power source, and may not provide or receive any powerfrom the at least one computing device.

The display system 100 may receive information from the at least onecomputing device, based upon which the displays 102, 104 may displayinformation. In some examples, the display system 100 may also provideinformation to the at least one computing device. For example, at leastone of the displays 102, 104 may include a touch-sensitive screen toreceive touch inputs from a user. In another example, the display system100 may include one or more user-interface elements, such as buttons,switches, knobs, sliders, touch-sensitive surfaces, and so forth, toreceive user-input information, such as volume-control information. Thedisplay system 100 may include one or more wired and/or wirelesscommunication interfaces to facilitate information exchange with the atleast one computing device. For example, the base 108 may include awired-communication port, such as a USB-A connection port, a USB-Cconnection port, a Micro-USB connection port, a Mini-USB connectionport, or another type of wired-communication port. In another example,the display system 100 may include one or more wireless-communicationinterfaces, such as one or more antennas.

The display system 100 may include one or more computing elements tofacilitate receiving, transmitting, and/or processing information. Forexample, the display system 100 may include one or more controllersconfigured to execute various operations, such as by controlling thedisplays 102, 104 to output information based on display informationreceived from the at least one computing device. Using data stored inassociated memory and/or storage, the controller also executes one ormore instructions stored on one or more non-transitory computer-readablemedia that may result in manipulated data. In some examples, thecontroller may include one or more processors or other types ofcontrollers. In another example, the controller performs at least aportion of the operations discussed above using an application-specificintegrated circuit tailored to perform particular operations in additionto, or in lieu of, a general-purpose processor. As illustrated by theseexamples, examples in accordance with the present invention may performthe operations described herein using many specific combinations ofhardware and software and the invention is not limited to any particularcombination of hardware and software components.

In one example, at least a portion of the one or more computing elementsmay be housed in the base 108 and/or the support 106. In anotherexample, the display system 100 may include one or more enclosures to atleast partially enclose the one or more computing elements. For example,as illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the display system 200 may include anenclosure 202 in which one or more computing elements, such as one ormore controllers, may be housed. In another example, the support 106 mayinclude or be coupled to a partial enclosure configured to house orsupport the at least one computing device. For example, the support 106may be coupled to a sleeve configured to hold the at least one computingdevice, which may include, for example, a laptop computer, desktopcomputer, tablet computer, and so forth. In one example, the sleeve mayinclude one or more interfaces to facilitate at least one electricaland/or communicative connection between the display system 100, 200 andthe at least one computing device. In various examples in which thesleeve is coupled to the support 106, the at least one computing devicemay be electrically and/or communicatively coupled to the display system100, 200 when the at least one computing device is within the sleeve,and when the at least one computing device is not within the sleeve.

In at least one example, power and/or data may be distributed to one ormore components of the display system 100, 200. For example, powerand/or data may be transmitted from the base 108 and/or support 106 tothe displays 102, 104. In one example, one or more media may be enclosedwithin the linkage bar 110 to distribute power and/or data from the base108 and/or support 106 to the first display 102 and/or the seconddisplay 104. In one example, the one or more media include a firstmedium configured to distribute power and/or data to the first display102, and a second, separate medium configured to distribute power and/ordata to the second display 104.

In another example, one of the displays 102, 104 may receive powerand/or data from the one or more media, and subsequently transmit powerand/or data to the other of the displays 102, 104 in addition to, or inlieu of, the other of the displays 102, 104 receiving power and/or datadirectly from the one or more media. For example, the second display 104may transmit at least a portion of the power and/or data to the firstdisplay 102 in at least one example. The display system 100, 200 mayinclude one or more media communicatively and/or electrically couplingthe first display 102 to the second display 104 (not illustrated).Furthermore, the second display 104 may transmit information (forexample, user-input information received at at least one of the displayscreens 114, 116) to the base 108 and/or support 106 via the linkage bar110, and/or to the first display 102.

In some examples, one or more media may be enclosed within the support106 and/or sliding coupler 122 to distribute power and/or data from thebase 108 and/or support 106 to the first display 102. The first display102 may transmit at least a portion of the power and/or data to thesecond display 104 in at least one example. For example, the displaysystem 100, 200 may include one or more media communicatively and/orelectrically coupling the first display 102 to the second display 104(not illustrated). Furthermore, the first display 102 may transmitinformation (for example, user-input information received by at leastone of the display screens 114, 116) to the base 108 and/or support 106via the sliding coupler 122, and/or to the second display 104.

As discussed above, the orientation angle 120 in the partially openorientation may range between approximately 90° or slightly greater atthe minimally open orientation, and approximately 180° or slightly lessat the fully open orientation. In other examples, other ranges oforientation angles may be implemented. In some examples, the orientationangle 120 may be less than 90° without any rotation of the support 106about the x-axis. For example, the second display 104 may continuerotating about the x-axis via the hinges 118 to achieve an orientationangle less than 90° without rotation of the support 106. In at least oneexample, the display system 100 may be configured such that the displays102, 104 are capable of being rotated such that the orientation angle120 is 0° without rotating the support 106. For example, the seconddisplay 104 may be configured to rotate about the hinges 118 from afully open orientation to a closed orientation (for example, by rotatingapproximately 180°) without rotation of the first display 102.

A length of the linkage bar 110 may be increased to achieve suchorientation angles. In some examples, the length of the linkage bar 110may be adjustable. For example, the linkage bar 110 may be a telescopingarm. In various examples, the linkage bar 110 may be omitted, and thedisplays 102, 104 may be rotatable about the hinges 118. The hinges 118may include torque hinges to maintain a desired value of the orientationangle 120 in some examples, whereas in others, the hinges 118 may notinclude torque hinges. For example, in examples in which the linkage bar110 is included, the linkage bar 110 may exert a force on the seconddisplay 104 that induces a clockwise moment on the second display 104 atthe hinges 118 about the x-axis, which may counteract a counterclockwisemoment on the second display 104 at the hinges 118 about the x-axiscaused by a gravitational force.

In some examples, a linkage bar may be coupled to the first display 102in addition to, or in lieu of, the linkage bar 110 being coupled to thesecond display 104. Furthermore, the second display 104 may include orbe coupled to a sliding coupler to slidably couple to the support 106 inaddition to, or in lieu of, the sliding coupler 122 being coupled to thetracks 128. In various examples, the first display 102 may rotate aboutthe hinges 118. For example, the sliding coupler 122 may include one ormore hinges configured to enable rotation about the x-axis, or may bereplaced by a component that enables rotation about the x-axis, such asin an example in which the first display 102 is coupled to a linkagebar, where the second display 104 may or may not be coupled to a slidingcoupler.

In various examples, one or more components of the display system 100may be configured to rotate about the y-axis and/or z-axis. For example,the support 106 may be rotatably coupled to the base 108 about they-axis, such as by including or being coupled to a rotatable plane (forexample, a circular rotating plate) configured to rotate about they-axis. In another example, the support 106 may include, or be coupledto, a rotatable component that enables rotation of the displays 102, 104about the z-axis. For example, the support 106 may not be directlycoupled to the base 108, and may instead be coupled to a fixed supportthat is directly coupled (for example, fixedly or rotatably) to the base108. The support 106 may be rotatably coupled to the fixed support, suchas by being rotatably coupled to a rotatable plane configured to enablerotation of the support 106 (and, consequently, the displays 102, 104)about the z-axis.

In some examples, the support 106 may be rotatable about the x-axis viathe at least one third hinge 136. As discussed above, the support 106may only be rotatable when the release bar 144 is activated. In otherexamples, the support 106 may be freely rotatable about the x-axisregardless of whether a release mechanism is implemented or activated.In some examples, the at least one third hinge 136 may include torquehinges to resist a moment applied by gravity. Although in some examplesrotation of the support 106 about the x-axis (for example, clockwiseabout the x-axis) may be limited at least in part by the grooves 138 andlevers 140, in other examples, the grooves 138 and levers 140 may beomitted or modified such that the support 106 is not, or is less,limited in rotation about the x-axis.

As discussed above, information may be displayed by the displays 102,104. In some examples, the information displayed by the displays 102,104 may be identical or different. For example, the displays 102, 104may display contiguous portions of a displayed web page or document asthough the displays 102, 104 were a single display. In various examples,users may be able to configure what information the displays 102, 104display, and how.

Although in some examples display systems of the disclosure may includetwo displays, in other examples, the display system may include aplurality of displays having greater than two displays. The plurality ofdisplays may be the same or different in orientation, size, and/or otherparameters. Each display may be positioned above, below, and/or to thesides of the other displays.

In some examples, a display system may include a single display. Forexample, the single display may include a foldable display having atleast two sections separated by an articulable fold line such that,rather than a hinged interface implemented in connection with thediscrete articulable hinges between the displays 102, 104 (for example,pin-based hinges), a single display may be implemented having a foldline to serve a similar function. The foldable display may be consideredan articulable display inasmuch as the fold line provides an interfaceabout which different sections of the foldable display may rotaterelative to one another.

FIG. 6 illustrates a front-perspective view of a display system 300 in apartially open orientation according to an example. The display system300 is substantially similar to the display system 100. However, whereasthe display system 100 includes a first display 102 and a second display104, the display system 300 includes a foldable display 302 having afoldable display screen 304. The foldable display 302 is supported atleast in part by a base 306, which may be substantially similar oridentical to the base 108. The foldable display 302 may include and/orbe coupled to additional stand components which are not visible in FIG.6 and which are substantially similar or identical to the support 106,the linkage bar 110, and so forth, discussed above.

The foldable display 302 is foldable about a fold line 308 such that thefoldable display 302 is rotatable about the x-axis indicated by a legend310. Folding the foldable display 302 about the fold line 308 mayvisually partition the foldable display screen 304 into a firstdisplay-screen section 312 above the fold line 308 and a seconddisplay-screen section 314 below the fold line 308.

Accordingly, the foldable display 302 may include a first displayportion 316 and a second display portion 318 separated by the fold line308. The first display portion 316 may perform a substantially similarfunction as the first display 102. The second display portion 318 mayperform a substantially similar function as the second display 104. Forexample, the first display portion 316 may be slidably coupled to asupport in a similar manner as the first display 102 being slidablycoupled to the support 106 via the sliding coupler 122. The seconddisplay portion 318 may be rotatably coupled to the first displayportion 316 and the support 306 in a similar manner as the seconddisplay 104 being rotatably coupled to the first display 102 and thesupport 108 via the hinges 118 and the linkage bar 110.

The first display-screen section 312 and the second display-screensection 314 may therefore provide a similar user experience as the firstdisplay screen 114 and the second display screen 116. However, thedisplay-screen sections 312, 314 may not be discrete display screens insome examples, and are instead visually segmented sections of a singlecontinuous screen. It is to be appreciated that although thedisplay-screen sections 312, 314 may not be considered discrete displayscreens from a visual perspective in some examples, the display portions316, 318 may perform discrete functions or exhibit discreterelationships with other aspects of the display system 300, such as thefirst display portion 316 being slidably coupled to a support, and thesecond display portion 318 being rotatably coupled to the base 306.

The foldable display 302 may therefore provide an increased density ofinformation to a user. The area about the fold line 308 is part of thesingle continuous screen and can display information at the interfacebetween the display-screen sections 312, 314. Conversely, informationmay not be displayed at an interface of the displays 102, 104 at leastbecause the hinges 118 and portions of the housing of the displays 102,104, rather than the display screens 114, 116, occupy the interfacebetween the displays 102, 104. Other components of the display system300 which have not been specifically identified may be substantiallysimilar or identical to the components of the display system 100 and/or200, and are not repeated for purposes of brevity.

Having thus described several aspects of at least one embodiment, it isto be appreciated various alterations, modifications, and improvementswill readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such alterations,modifications, and improvements are intended to be part of, and withinthe spirit and scope of, this disclosure. Accordingly, the foregoingdescription and drawings are by way of example only.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display system comprising: a support; a foldable display coupled to the support, the foldable display being configured to display output information received from at least one computing device and including a first display portion slidably coupled to the support, and a second display portion rotatably coupled to the first display portion about a first connection and rotatably coupled to the support about a second connection, the second display portion being configured to rotate about the first display portion responsive to the first display portion being slid down the support; a sliding coupler coupled to the first display portion and slidably coupled to the support; a base coupled to the support via a protrusion, wherein the support is rotatably coupled to the protrusion; a catch mechanism configured to prevent rotation of the support about the base; and a release mechanism configured to release the catch mechanism, wherein the sliding coupler is configured to exert a force on the release mechanism to release the catch mechanism, and wherein releasing the catch mechanism enables rotation of the support about the base.
 2. The display system of claim 1, further comprising a linkage bar coupled to the second display portion.
 3. The display system of claim 2, wherein the linkage bar is rotatably coupled to the second display portion.
 4. The display system of claim 3, further comprising a base coupled to the support via a protrusion, wherein the linkage bar is rotatably coupled to the protrusion.
 5. The display system of claim 1, wherein the support is configured to rotate approximately 90° about the base.
 6. The display system of claim 5, wherein the sliding coupler is configured to slide between a highest position on the support and a lowest position on the support, and wherein an angle between the first display portion and the second display portion at the highest position is approximately 180°.
 7. The display system of claim 6, wherein the angle between the first display portion and the second display portion at the lowest position is approximately 90°.
 8. The display system of claim 7, wherein subsequent to rotating the support approximately 90° about the base, the angle between the first display portion and the second display portion is approximately 0°.
 9. A method of facilitating use of a display system, the method comprising: providing a foldable display system including: a support; a foldable display coupled to the support, the foldable display being configured to display output information received from at least one computing device and including a first display portion, and a second display portion rotatably coupled to the first display portion via a first connection and rotatably coupled to the support via a second connection; a base; a catch mechanism configured to prevent rotation of the support about the base; and a release mechanism configured to release the catch mechanism, wherein releasing the catch mechanism enables rotation of the support about the base; instructing a user of the display system to couple the display system to the at least one computing device; instructing the user of the display system to slide the first display portion along the support; and instructing the user of the display system to rotate the second display portion about the first display portion by sliding the first display portion to a lowest position on the support to exert a force on the release mechanism and release the catch mechanism.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein instructing the user to rotate the support about the base includes instructing the user to rotate the support approximately 90° to a closed orientation. 